CD Reviews

One of Carter's early adventures...

06/13/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Carter improvises with lot's of adventure, for instance re-shaping the song "My Favorite Things" and unexpectedly taking wild scat solos. In ballads such as "This Is Always" she is as tender and as saxaphone smooth as always slightly playful with the melody. This is an interesting look at Betty Carter, right when she became the improviser she would later be renowned for."

Prepare Yourself for a Master Sophisticated Jazz Vocal Set

Carlos from Rio | Rio de Janeiro, RJ Brazil | 07/10/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Master command on Jazz vocals. Not for beginners. When you get an MBA in listening to Jazz vocal you'll know what I mean. Buy it now and train."

An absolute master

03/07/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Betty is like no other. This has been one of my favorite discs for years; of all her albums, this is the best showcase of Betty's versatility and endless imagination. We should all live with such concentrated inspiration."

Fascinating genius

Eleni | NY, USA | 04/21/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Oh why did I never hear of her before? A voice that doesn't end...it moves ecstatically from note to note shimmering delightfully and then moving us to tears. Is there a DVD concert of this genius anywhere? And what a top notch backup crew...so much talent on one CD."

The masterpiece of a TRUE jazz singer

R comme Ralingue | Bordeaux, France | 10/05/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Betty's voice isn't what most people think of as "beautiful". To appreciate Betty's art, you got to get "inside". Before recording "Inside Betty", Miss Carter made a remarkable tour in Japan with Sonny Rollins. In this marvellous album she performs with a trio (wonderful Harold Mabern on piano, Bob Cranshaw on bass -Rollins' soul mate-, and faithful Roy McCurdy on drums). Don't expect to hear pretty nice songs. She's gonna sing you the blues, she's gonna tell you what life is all about. She is a jazz singer's singer, a lady who did it her own way, a Lady I miss a lot. Listen to wonderful "You're a Sweetheart" (track 14) or "My Favorite Things" (in 1'35 she's said it all)... Highly recommended. 45 minutes' happiness. Train your ears."